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Theatre

Published 02/07/2013

by Richard Dodds

Jason Brock, in his "Mr. Entertainment" mode on
The X Factor, will rejoin the cast of
Boxcar Theatre's Hedwig and the Angry Inch,
while also gaining a headline spot at Live at the
Rrazz. Photo: Courtesy Fox Television

Simon Cowell's scorching tongue has probably scarred enough
aspiring singers to warrant a dedicated burn unit. But the talent-show judge's
excoriating words, often preceding by the disclaimer "I don't mean to be
rude," can actually help energize a performer if the spirit is strong and
the talent is there. So it is with Jason Brock, an SF performer whose
underground renown has been climbing into higher altitudes since his splashy
run as a finalist on The X Factor. That
run came to a sudden halt based on a veto by Cowell, who seemed revolted by the
performer's unabashedly, flamboyantly gay stylings.

The coming weeks will see Brock return in both pre- and
post-X Factor modes, as he rejoins the
cast of Boxcar Theatre's Hedwig and the Angry Inch
in a run that has been extended for his return, and
who also gets a headliner gig at the prestigious Live at the Rrazz nightclub.
His X Factor "mentor,"
record producer L.A. Reid, branded Brock as "Mr. Entertainment" as he
surrounded the performer in Vegas-like spectacles, but Brock also displayed
talents as a serious song stylist in several stripped-down "sing for your
life" elimination heats.

Brock was part of the cast of Boxcar Theatre's original 2012
production Hedwig that retooled the
musical (with permission from creator John Cameron Mitchell) by dividing up the
title character's role among multiple actors. The summer production was such a
success for the small theater that it was back in December (though sans
Brock). Brock's run is set for Feb. 20-March 2, and
he will offer a cabaret turn immediately following the 8 p.m. Friday and
Saturday performances. More info at
www.boxcartheatre.org.

But first, Brock will be at the cabaret for his Feb. 16
debut at Live at the Rrazz. The act is titled So Much Soul,
with songs by Anita Baker, Beyonce, Tina Turner, and
Adele in the set list, along with new material and past favorites. More info at
www.liveattherrazz.com.

LuPone zone

There have been some hiccups as the Rrazz Room at the Nikko
Hotel had to be quickly transformed into Live at the Rrazz at 1000 Van Ness in
January. After hosting several acts, the nightclub has had to cancel, postpone,
or move its bookings to other venues as noise and permit issues are being
addressed. By the time you read this, a scheduled hearing should have taken
place, and a Rrazz spokesman expressed optimism that all will then be well.

It's hard to imagine otherwise, perusing the packed schedule
of upcoming acts. It's a wildly eclectic collection, but our eyes are always
drawn to those bookings with a theatrical hook. For example, there is Broadway
and TV veteran Anita Gillette (Feb. 22-24) taking audiences through her
adventures with Ethel Merman in Gypsy,
David Merrick and Gower Champion during Carnival,
and Neil Simon with Chapter Two.

Patti LuPone is bringing her wildly acclaimed new
cabaret show Far Away Places to Live at the
Rrazz in March. Photo: Ethan Hill

But the jewel in the crown has to be Patti LuPone, who will
offer her acclaimed Far Away Places show
on March 19-24. The Tony-winning star who was Broadway's original Evita
performed Far Away Places last
summer as the first attraction at New York's 54 Below nitery. The New
York Times raved that the "brilliant
show deserves many lives, perhaps even a Broadway run in an expanded version,"
while likening LuPone to such greats as Piaf and Dietrich.

The show's musical repertoire is made up of songs about,
appropriately enough, far away places. The footloose sentiments are reflected
in songs familiar, rare, and exotic. Cole Porter's "Come to the
Supermarket in Old Peking," Brecht and Weill's "Pirate Jenny,"
Stephen Sondheim's "By the Sea," and the Bee Gees' "Nights on
Broadway" are a few examples of LuPone's unpredictable notions of
traveling music.

Rrazz co-founder Robert Kotonly told the Chronicle
last month that LuPone's engagement will mark the
official opening of the new space. The quick move from the Nikko Hotel meant
launching the space as a work-in-progress, but when LuPone steps onto the
stage, Kotonly said, "That's when the final product will be here."

The Wooster Group and New York City Players share the
stage in an experimental staging of Early Plays by Eugene O Neill, having its West Coast debut at Yerba Buena. Photo:
Courtesy the Wooster Group

Adventures at sea

Two of New York's most forward-looking theater companies
have joined forces to present a trio of Eugene O'Neill's first plays. The
Wooster Group and New York City Players share the same stage for Early Plays
that aim to interpret anew O'Neill one-acts written
between 1914 and 1918. This collaboration, first presented last year in
Brooklyn, will have its West Coast premiere at Yerba Buena Center for the Arts.

The tramp steamer S.S. Glencairn is the setting for Moon
of the Caribees, Bound East for Cardiff,
and The Long Voyage Home, as
O'Neill explores the harsh lives of the disposable souls aboard. Director
Richard Maxwell of the NYC Players is known for his stripped-bare approach to
dialogue, and a knack for subversive deadpan absurdity.

Performances are Feb. 14-16 in YBCA's Forum. Ticket
information is available at
www.ybca.org.